If you feel a fullness in your throat and a constant pain in your head, you may be experiencing a post-nasal drip. If this situation continues for a long time, your daily life will undoubtedly be adversely affected. So, what causes nasal discharge that everyone can encounter, regardless of age range, and what is good for nasal discharge? Here are all the details you wonder about this subject…
What is nasal discharge?
Nasal discharge is actually a very normal reaction for the human body. It is known as the flow of the mucosa collected in the sinuses and bronchi to the back of the nasal cavity, that is, to the nasal region. However, the fact that this discharge is more intense and frequent for some reasons causes phlegm and sore throat in the person. Therefore, postnasal drip and sputum are mostly common disorders, and both occur very frequently, especially during seasonal transitions.
It can cause frequent expectoration, cough with phlegm and an annoying sore throat in people. This situation can also trigger other diseases, and even become fatal with another disease at the same time. This process, which is an invisible discharge under normal conditions and is normal for the body, decreases the quality of life of the person when it reaches disturbing dimensions.
What are the symptoms of postnasal drip?
Consistent and dense nasal discharge causes swelling in the ear and face, coughing and sputum formation. Depending on this situation, symptoms such as thickening of the voice, sore throat, nasal congestion, phlegm and dry cough occur. Colds, flu, asthma, pharyngitis, etc. It can become a more severe disease by combining with other diseases. Drug use, seasonal changes, smoking and various diseases are shown as triggering factors.
Diagnosis and treatment of postnasal drip
Nasal discharge is a problem that can be solved. Patients seeking a solution to postnasal drip often have problems with diagnosis. Because the symptoms of postnasal drip initially have a normal flow, but gradually increase in severity. It is obvious that nasal discharge is intense and frequent in individuals with excessive smoking and low water consumption. Plenty of water consumption has a very important place in this phase.
Nasal discharge initially appears as a disease that we can correct ourselves. For this reason, a solution to nasal discharge can be found with simple methods that can be applied at home. Some natural methods that can be applied at home are as follows:
- Gargling the throat with salt water
- Cleaning the nose with salt water
- Taking care to consume 8 to 10 glasses of water a day
- Drinking ginger tea 2 or 3 times a day
- Drinking a mixture of honey and lemon
- Applying peppermint oil to the area close to the nose
- Drinking hot soup at some meals during the day
- Adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar to the daily drinking water
If we come to the subject of drug treatment; Since it is known that many drugs cause excessive secretion of discharge, a doctor should be consulted about this issue. Infectious diseases, especially in the upper respiratory tract, can lead to increased mucous fluid. As a result, excessive nasal discharge causes pain and soreness in the throat. In such a health problem, the best step to take would be to consult an otolaryngologist.
The nasal discharge, which is usually expected to go away on its own, can reach a more disturbing size by combining with other diseases. Among the most recommended solutions are cleaning with plenty of water to open the sinuses, reducing cigarette consumption, trying to prevent infectious diseases, using salt with the spray given by the doctor, cleaning the existing dust at home, steam or moist air that softens the nose and upper respiratory tract and relaxes. shown as providing the environment.
If mucous fluid flows from the nose, it causes a runny nose, and if it flows from the nose, it causes a post-nasal drip. Usually, simple salt water sprays to be applied at home help to pass both the nasal and nasal discharges. It should not be forgotten that the discharge can also be caused by allergies. However, if the discharge does not pass for ten days or more and continues intensely, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Because this situation will cause irritation in the sinuses and throat, as well as trigger stomach diseases such as reflux.
What are the most common causes of postnasal drip?
The most important way to treatment in diseases is primarily to find the underlying cause of the disease. If the cause of the disease is not well understood, the treatment applied will only remain as a temporary solution. Nasal discharge, cough and phlegm that prevent the routine life flow can sometimes become unbearable. Some of the factors that can cause nasal discharge are as follows:
- Excessive consumption of spicy food
- Pregnancy
- Objects stuck in the nose
- Irritating chemicals from perfume, cleaning products, or environmental fumes
- Smoking
- Birth control pills and blood pressure medications
- chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD
- Allergy
- cold and flu
- Sinus infections
- rhinitis
- acid reflux